NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAP MACHINE KIOSK MAKES ITS NEW YORK CITY DEBUT AT EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS® (EMS)

Print-On-Demand Topographic Maps provide hikers, backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts custom maps for their adventure needs.

(Washington, DC, July 2, 2001) - Whether it’s exploring Central Park or exploring the trails of the surrounding region, New York City outdoor enthusiasts have a new tool to plan their perfect adventure with the arrival of the National Geographic Map Machine kiosk at Eastern Mountain Sports’® (EMS) new store at 164 Mercer Street, +1 212 966 8730.

The Map Machine kiosk is a technological breakthrough in map storage and printing that enables customers to customize, design and print USGS topographic maps on tear-resistant, waterproof paper in minutes. Map Machine customers can choose from a seamless database of thousands of quads by means of the easy-to-use touch-screen interface. Customers can use a variety of popular tools, including the ability to select custom scales, add coordinate grids, and search by place names to create their perfect map.

Once the customer selects and previews their custom map, it is printed from the kiosk in rich detail in less than four minutes. These maps, which come in a smaller, easier-to-pack format than traditional USGS quads, have undergone rigorous field testing and can stand up to even the toughest conditions. The suggested retail price of maps printed from the kiosk is $7.95 per map.

“Previously these incredibly useful maps were hard to find. Now the Map Machine kiosk makes them accessible to everyone,” stated Paul Glauthier, President of National Geographic Maps Technology Group. “Map Machine maps are a powerful tool for anyone, because they can be personalized to create the exact map each user needs.”

Previously, planning an outdoor adventure required sorting through dozens of racks of paper maps and purchasing multiple maps for even the shortest trip. For retailers, Map Machine kiosks make it possible to offer thousands of difficult-to-find topographical maps in a location that would normally stock only a few dozen maps.

In addition to the Mercer Street store, a Map Machine kiosks is being installed in EMS’ South Burlington, Vt., location, with plans for five additional stores to be included in the initial rollout.

These Kiosks provide coverage for the Northeast, but in the near future each kiosk will offer coverage of the entire United States—more than 50,000 USGS quads. National Geographic plans to also add custom street, recreational, and user-selected overlays that will make the Map Machine kiosks a complete map solution for any trip. Currently, customers can purchase National Geographic Maps’ TOPO! mapping software, available at retailers nationwide, which enables a customer to design and print customized maps at home.

Proceeds from map sales go to The National Geographic Society’s mission to further the diffusion of geographic knowledge, exploration, and conservation. Additionally a portion of each map sale is donated to the USGS in a special fund earmarked for the revision and updating of the country’s maps.

For more information about National Geographic Maps and Map Machine, call +1 415 558 8700 x107 or log onto maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo.

About EMS:
Eastern Mountain Sports® (EMS), with headquarters in Petersborough, N.H., is one of the leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. EMS operates more than 75 stores in the United States.

About National Geographic Maps:
National Geographic Maps employs 60 full-time cartographers who produce five map supplements and about 100 page maps a year for National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the Society. NG Maps also produces maps for the Society’s other magazines, National Geographic Books (including the Society’s signature “Atlas of the World”), National Geographic Television, Nationalgeographic.com (both the Web site www.nationalgeographic.com and CD-ROM products), and the Society’s educational products. In addition, NG Maps produces Trails Illustrated maps, TrailSmart digital maps, globes, wall maps, reference maps, state maps, city and recreational destination maps, and atlases. Maps are available to members and the public. For more information or to purchase National Geographic map products, log on to shop.nationalgeographic.com. For more information Map Machine, call +1 415 558 8700 x107 or log onto maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo

CONTACT:

Carol Seitz
National Geographic
+1 202 828 6678
cseitz@ngs.org

Mike Dyer
National Geographic
+1 415 558 8700 x107
mdyer@ngs.org

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